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1 NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM grand JUROR S HANdBOOK

2 FOR COpIES OF THIS BOOKLET CALL: NY-JUROR OR ORdER ON THE WEB :

3 MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF JUDGE I am pleased to welcome you to the New York State courts and to grand jury service. The United States and New York State Constitutions have established the grand jury as the authority that decides whether someone should be formally accused of a crime. The grand jury, as a cross-section of the community, is a key part of our criminal justice system designed both to uphold the laws of the land by indicting those individuals believed to have committed crimes and to protect the rights of others against unfounded accusations. While I recognize that jury service may pose an inconvenience, interrupting your personal and business lives, it is also a unique privilege we enjoy as citizens. Jury service is a significant civic responsibility and an opportunity to participate in the justice system, to learn firsthand how it works, and to offer suggestions for improvement. This Handbook is designed to be a guide to refer to throughout your grand jury service. On behalf of the entire legal community, I thank you for serving. I hope you find your grand jury service interesting, instructive and rewarding. JOnATHAn lippman Spring 2009

4 COnTEnTS: OVERVIEW The Purpose of This Handbook The Role of the Grand Jury in the Criminal Justice System Why We Have Grand Juries Differences Between Grand Juries and Trial Juries BASICS OF GRAnD JURY SERVICE Qualifications of Jurors Grand Juries and Criminal Trial Juries Compared Term of Service Orientation and Selection of a Grand Jury How Many Grand Jurors? The Foreperson The Assistant Foreperson The Secretary THE GRAnD JURY GETS TO WORK What Grand Juries Do Grand Jury Secrecy Who is Present in the Grand Jury Room?

5 Grand Jurors' Questions Note-Taking by Grand Jurors The Accused Person's Role Deciding Which Witnesses Testify How the Grand Jury Makes Decisions QUESTIOnS ABOUT GRAnD JURY SERVICE What if I recognize a witness or the name of the accused person? What if grand jury service would be a hardship for me? Do I have to attend every session? Will I understand what I have to do? What should I wear? When will I have to serve again? Will I get paid for my grand jury service? Who pays the Jury Fee? COnClUSIOn ARTIClE InDEX

6 UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION 5 th Amendment No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury... NEW YORK STATE CONSTITUTION Article 1, Section 6 No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime... unless on indictment of a grand jury...

7 OVERVIEW THE purpose OF THIS HAnDBOOK This handbook is for citizens summoned to serve as grand jurors in New York State. It is designed to answer commonly asked questions about grand jury service. Whether or not you actually sit on a grand jury, this handbook has information that everyone should know about grand juries and grand jury service. This handbook is not a substitute for Article 190 of the Criminal Procedure Law, which is the legal framework for the grand jury. New York State law requires that each grand juror be given a copy of Article 190 to read and to use as a reference while serving as a grand juror. There is a copy of Article 190 starting at page 17 of this handbook. If you do sit on a grand jury, remember that the grand jury's legal advisors are the District Attorney or assistant district attorney (also called the prosecutor) and the judge - and no one else. Any questions you have about the law should be addressed only to the prosecutor, and, if necessary, to the judge. For other questions about grand jury service, you should consult with commissioner of jurors staff or the grand jury warden, or with the prosecutor if a grand juror needs to speak with a judge. THE ROlE OF THE GRAnD JURY In THE CRIMInAl JUSTICE SYSTEM The grand jury is an arm of the court. It is not an agent of the prosecutor or the police. A grand jury does not decide whether or not a person has been proven guilty. That is the trial jury's job. The grand jury decides whether or not a person should be formally charged with a crime or other offense. The grand jury makes that decision based on evidence presented to it by the prosecutor, who also instructs the grand jury on the law. The grand jury's decision must be based on the evidence and on the law n Y - J U R O R / W W W. n Y J U R O R. G O V 1

8 In general, the grand jury makes one of three decisions: A. The grand jury may vote to formally accuse someone of a crime. This accusation is called an indictment, also known as a bill which is short for bill of indictment. B. The grand jury may vote to dismiss the charges, also known as a no-bill. C. The grand jury may direct the prosecutor to file an information accusing the person of an offense less serious than a felony. 1 There are also rare circumstances where a grand jury recommends that a case should be sent to Family Court or where the grand jury makes a report to the court. WHY WE HAVE GRAnD JURIES The use of trial juries (also called petit juries) and grand juries goes back approximately 800 years. Beginning around 1215 A.D., both types of juries were used in England. The grand jury made the formal accusation, known as a bill of indictment or presentment. 2 The trial jury decided whether the accusation was proven. The grand jury is included in the United States Constitution and the New York State Constitution. In New York State, a person cannot be brought to trial for a felony unless that person has been indicted by a grand jury. The grand jury has an awesome responsibility. It uses its power both as a sword and as a shield: a sword to accuse or indict those 1 Under special circumstances in cases involving 13 to 15 year olds, the prosecutor may instruct the grand jury about the option of sending or removing the case to Family Court. Also, a grand jury may be asked to investigate alleged misconduct in office by a public official, criminal or otherwise. As a result of its investigation the grand jury may issue a report to the court making recommendations for legislative, executive or administrative action in the public interest. 2 The terms indictment and presentment are used interchangeably. This handbook will refer only to indictment. 2 G R A n D J U R O R S H A n D B O O K

9 whom there is reason to believe have committed crimes; a shield to protect the innocent against unfounded accusations. DIFFEREnCES BETWEEn GRAnD JURIES AnD TRIAl JURIES Usually when we think of juries, trial juries come to mind. That's because most people who serve as jurors serve as trial jurors. In fact, out of 574,000 people who served as jurors in New York State in 2005, only 29,000 of them were grand jurors. Another way of looking at it is that only one juror out of 20 is a grand juror. There are many differences between trial juries and grand juries. The most important is that a grand jury decides whether or not there is enough evidence to charge an accused person with a crime and a trial jury decides whether or not the person who is charged with a crime has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. (See chart on next page.) BASICS OF GRAnD JURY SERVICE QUAlIFICATIOnS OF JURORS Grand jurors and trial jurors must meet the same qualifications. You are eligible to serve as a juror in New York State if you are: 1) a United States citizen, 2) at least 18 years old, and 3) a resident of the county to which you are summoned to serve. In addition, jurors must 4) be able to understand and communicate in the English language, and 5) not have been convicted of a felony. 3 3 Persons previously convicted of a felony who have received a Certificate of Relief from Civil Disabilities or a Certificate of Good Conduct may be qualified to serve as jurors n Y - J U R O R / W W W. n Y J U R O R. G O V 3

10 GRAnD JURIES AnD CRIMInAl TRIAl JURIES COMpARED QUESTIONS GRAND JURY FELONY TRIAL JURY How many jurors? 23 jurors and no alternates 12 jurors plus alternates How long does the jury serve? For how many days do the jurors report? How many cases does the jury hear? Two weeks to three months or more depending on the county From every day for two weeks or more to a couple of days a week for several months Usually hears many cases Length of one trial Every day until the trial is completed One Who presents evidence? The prosecution In addition to the prosecution, the defense may present evidence. Is a defense attorney present? Is a judge present? How many jurors must be present to hear evidence? What does the jury decide? How many jurors decide? Are the proceedings open to the public? A defense attorney is present only if the accused person chooses to testify. The defense attorney is not permitted to ask questions, make objections or speak to the grand jury. A judge may be present to select the jurors but is not present during presentation of evidence. The judge is available to answer grand jurors' questions as needed. At least 16 Whether or not to formally charge the accused person with a crime 16 jurors must be present to deliberate. 12 jurors who have heard all the essential and critical evidence and the legal instructions must agree. No. A grand jury's work is done in secret. Only specific individuals with a role to play in the proceedings may be present. Yes. The defense attorney is present throughout the trial except in cases where the defendant is acting as his or her own lawyer. The defense attorney takes an active role in the trial. Yes. The judge must be present in the courtroom throughout the trial. All 12 jurors (and alternates) must be present throughout the trial. Whether or not the prosecution has proved the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt To find a defendant guilty or not guilty a unanimous vote of the 12 jurors is required. Yes. A jury trial is a public proceeding. Only the jury's deliberations are conducted in secret. In rare instances a judge may close the courtroom to the public.

11 In general, people who serve as grand jurors or trial jurors in New York State are not eligible to be called for jury service again for six years. Those who serve for 11 days or more (which is very common for grand jurors) cannot be called again for eight years. TERM OF SERVICE Your jury summons states whether you have been summoned as a grand juror or as a trial juror. Length of service for a grand juror can vary from two weeks to a month or more. Where the term of service lasts for a month or more, grand jurors usually sit for one or two days per week. The grand jury summons states the length of the term and the reporting requirements. The Commissioner of Jurors and the judge will explain how long the grand jury term of service will be and how often grand jurors will be required to be present in court. Grand jurors serving for long terms go about their normal business on days when the grand jury is not in session. ORIEnTATIOn AnD SElECTIOn OF A GRAnD JURY Upon arrival at the courthouse, summoned grand jurors typically see a grand jury orientation video and the Commissioner of Jurors or a member of the Commissioner's staff explains the logistics of service. The actual selection process is conducted by the Commissioner of Jurors or by the judge, who are the only people authorized to excuse summoned grand jurors. After assuring that all summoned grand jurors are qualified to serve, the Commissioner or judge explains the grand jurors' duties, and 23 jurors are randomly selected from among those who are qualified. HOW MAnY GRAnD JURORS? A grand jury has 23 members. In order to conduct any business - hearing evidence or deliberating - a quorum of at least 16 grand jurors must be present. In order to make a decision, at least 12 grand jurors who have heard the essential and critical n Y - J U R O R / W W W. n Y J U R O R. G O V 5

12 evidence and also the legal instructions must vote. All jurors who have heard the essential and critical evidence and have been provided with the instructions may vote. THE FOREpERSOn After the grand jurors are sworn, the judge appoints a foreperson. The foreperson administers the oath to each witness who testifies before the grand jury (although any member of the grand jury may do so) and may chair the grand jury sessions. The grand jury's decisions must be given to the judge in writing. The foreperson signs the document and gives it to a member of the court staff or directly to the judge. If the grand jury cannot make a decision, that too is reported in writing to the judge by the foreperson. THE ASSISTAnT FOREpERSOn The judge also appoints an assistant or acting foreperson who performs the foreperson's duties if the foreperson is absent or unavailable. THE SECRETARY The grand jury selects a secretary to keep the records of the grand jury's business. For example, the secretary keeps a record of jurors who are not present when evidence or legal instructions are given. When the grand jury votes, the secretary records the results of the vote. Service as a grand juror begins with an oath of office given to the jurors by the judge. The grand jurors swear or affirm that they will perform their duties faithfully. 6 G R A n D J U R O R S H A n D B O O K

13 THE GRAnD JURY GETS TO WORK WHAT GRAnD JURIES DO A grand jury usually hears many different, unrelated cases. Only the prosecution presents evidence to the grand jury. There is no judge present during the grand jury's proceedings. However, a judge is available to resolve legal issues and to answer questions, if needed. The grand jury's work comes before a trial. The grand jury's main job is to decide whether or not a person should be formally charged with a crime. This formal charge is called an indictment. The grand jury decides whether there is legally sufficient evidence of a crime and whether there is reasonable cause to believe that the accused person committed that crime. GRAnD JURY SECRECY Everything that happens in the grand jury room is secret. The purposes of grand jury secrecy are to obtain the full cooperation of the witnesses who appear before the grand jury, to permit grand jurors to make decisions free from outside interference, and to protect an innocent person who may be investigated but never indicted. Grand jurors must preserve the secrecy of the grand jury proceedings. Grand jurors may not discuss anything that occurs in the grand jury room with anyone other than the other REASOnS FOR GRAnD JURY SECRECY Full cooperation from witnesses Free and confidential deliberations Protection of the innocent - who may be investigated but never indicted n Y - J U R O R / W W W. n Y J U R O R. G O V 7

14 members of the jury, the prosecutor or the judge, if necessary. Any discussion about the case by grand jurors must occur only in the grand jury room. When proposing questions for a witness, grand jurors should take care not to reveal the identity of another witness, the substance of another witness's testimony, or other evidence they have heard or seen. Grand jurors may not tell others anything about any action the grand jury takes. Unlike others involved with the grand jury, witnesses are not required to keep their role secret. Grand jury witnesses are allowed to discuss their own testimony in public if they wish to do so. Anyone other than a witness who violates the secrecy of a grand jury is subject to serious penalties, including imprisonment. No one may talk to a grand juror about the grand jury's work. A grand juror should immediately inform the jury staff, grand jury warden, the prosecutor or, if necessary, the judge if anyone outside the grand jury room approaches the grand juror and tries to talk about the grand jury or its work. WHO IS present In THE GRAnD JURY ROOM? The law strictly limits who may be present in the grand jury room during grand jury proceedings. Only those who have official duties may be present. In addition to the grand jurors WHO MAY BE present In THE GRAnD JURY ROOM? jurors prosecutor witness attorney for the witness stenographer interpreter court employee who assists the grand jury professional accompanying a child witness video operator public servant holding a witness in custody 8 G R A n D J U R O R S H A n D B O O K

15 themselves, those who may be present include: the prosecutor, the witness, an attorney for the witness, an interpreter, the stenographer who records everything that is said during the proceedings, and a court employee authorized to assist the grand jury. Sometimes a social worker, rape crisis counselor, psychologist or other professional accompanies a child witness during the child's testimony. If there is evidence that must be presented by video, then a video operator is present. And, finally, a corrections officer or other public servant will accompany a witness who is in custody. When the grand jury is deliberating and voting, only the grand jurors may be in the room. The only exception to this rule is where a sign-language interpreter is needed for a deaf or hearing-impaired grand juror. GRAnD JURORS' QUESTIOnS Grand jurors may ask questions about the law. They may also ask questions of witnesses about the evidence. Generally, the prosecutor reviews grand jurors' questions for witnesses and permits only those that are relevant and legally proper. All substantive discussions between grand jurors and prosecutors or between grand jurors and judges are recorded stenographically. There are no off the record remarks about the substance of a case in the grand jury. note-taking BY GRAnD JURORS Because grand jurors may hear evidence in many cases and because there may be gaps of days or weeks between witnesses or between hearing evidence and deliberating, many grand jurors find taking notes helpful, and sometimes essential, in recalling the evidence in a particular case. In some counties, grand jurors are given note-taking materials. Grand jurors who are not given such materials may request them from Commissioner of Jurors staff or the grand jury warden n Y - J U R O R / W W W. n Y J U R O R. G O V 9

16 Jurors who do not take notes should rely on their own independent recollection and should not be influenced by the notes of other grand jurors. At any time the grand jury may ask the stenographer to read testimony from the transcript. Grand jurors' notes must remain in the grand jury room at all times. All notes are collected and destroyed when the grand jury's work is completed. THE ACCUSED person's ROlE An accused person is not required to testify before the grand jury and may not even be aware that he or she is being investigated by one. Sometimes the accused person chooses to testify before the grand jury. When that happens, the person's attorney may be present in the grand jury room only during the defendant s testimony to advise him or her during the testimony. The attorney may not ask questions, make objections or address the grand jury. An accused person who does not testify is not permitted to have an attorney present for any part of the grand jury proceedings. This is because unlike a trial, the grand jury proceeding is not an adversary proceeding. The purpose of a grand jury proceeding is only to decide whether or not the prosecution has enough evidence to proceed with a case against the person and not whether or not the prosecution can prove that person guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, it is only at a trial that a defendant may have an attorney present at all times. An accused person who is indicted - formally charged with a crime - becomes a defendant in a criminal case. A defendant is represented by an attorney for all proceedings, except in the rare case where a defendant decides to represent herself or himself. DECIDInG WHICH WITnESSES TESTIFY The prosecutor can call any witness believed to have relevant information. Also, the grand jury may direct the prosecutor to call witnesses or to recall witnesses who have already testified. 10 G R A n D J U R O R S H A n D B O O K

17 In addition, the accused person or that person's attorney may ask the grand jury to hear from a particular witness. If such a request is made, the grand jury decides whether it wishes to hear the witness's testimony. If the grand jury wishes to hear from the witness, the grand jury directs the prosecutor to subpoena the witness. When the grand jury directs the prosecutor to call a witness, that request must be honored. However, the prosecutor may ask the judge to limit or prevent a witness's appearance. If the judge concludes that the witness's appearance would not be in the public interest, the witness will not be called to testify. HOW THE GRAnD JURY MAKES DECISIOnS Before the grand jury is asked to deliberate and vote, the prosecutor gives the legal definitions of the proposed charges and other legal instructions. Grand jurors may ask questions about these definitions and instructions of the prosecutor and, if necessary, the judge. In order for a grand jury to deliberate and vote on a case, a quorum of at least 16 grand jurors must be present. The grand jurors discuss with each other the evidence and the legal instructions and then they vote. No one else is present in the room when the grand jury deliberates and votes except a sign language interpreter if needed for a juror. At any time the grand jury may ask the stenographer to read testimony from the transcript. To formally charge an accused person with a crime, 12 grand jurors who heard all the essential and critical evidence and also the legal instructions must agree that there is legally sufficient evidence and reasonable cause to believe that the accused person committed a crime. A grand juror who has not heard all the essential and critical evidence on a case or who has not heard the legal instructions cannot vote in that case n Y - J U R O R / W W W. n Y J U R O R. G O V 11

18 QUESTIOnS ABOUT GRAnD JURY SERVICE What if I recognize a witness or the name of the accused person? A grand juror who recognizes a witness or the name of an accused person should immediately inform the Commissioner of Jurors staff or the grand jury warden or the District Attorney or assistant district attorney or the judge. What if grand jury service would be a hardship for me? Grand juries, like trial juries, represent the communities from which they are drawn. Despite the inconvenience, everyone who is summoned is expected to serve. Excusals from grand jury service are granted rarely, and only after a juror provides proof to the Commissioner of Jurors or to the judge that grand jury service would pose a severe hardship. Do I have to attend every session? Yes. Attendance must be taken seriously. A grand juror is expected to report for every day that the grand jury is sitting. However, the law recognizes that there are emergencies or other unusual circumstances when a grand juror must be absent. A grand juror who cannot be present should contact Commissioner of Jurors staff or the grand jury warden to explain. When grand jurors are absent, serious consequences can result. No evidence can be presented and no vote can be taken unless a quorum of 16 grand jurors is present. A juror who has not heard all of the essential and critical evidence on a case cannot vote on that case. Jurors should bear in mind that evidence might be presented on different days. A grand juror might hear some critical evidence on one day and miss other critical evidence if absent on another day. 12 G R A n D J U R O R S H A n D B O O K

19 Will I understand what I have to do? Grand jurors listen to all the evidence presented and decide which evidence or witnesses are credible. All individuals, regardless of educational level or occupation, are equally equipped to make these decisions. The grand jury's conclusion is a group decision; it is not the decision of any single person. For centuries, our jury system has worked well with citizens using their common sense and good judgment while serving as grand jurors and as trial jurors. What should I wear? Grand jury service is a very serious matter. The grand jury plays a crucial role in the criminal justice system. A juror's appearance and attitude should reflect the importance of the grand jury's work. Clothes appropriate to a dignified occasion should be worn. When will I have to serve again? Jurors who sit for 11 days or more and successfully complete their service will not be eligible to be called again for eight years. Generally, jurors who serve for less than 11 days are eligible to be called again in six years. Just because a juror becomes eligible to serve again does not mean that she or he will be called. A person who is called again is selected at random from the county wide pool of jurors and may be summoned either as a trial juror or a grand juror. Will I get paid for my grand jury service? Grand jurors are paid according to the same rules as trial jurors. The jury fee is $40 per day. The law requires employers with more than ten employees to pay an employee serving as a juror at least $40 per day for the first three days of service. After the first three days, the state pays the jury fee to jurors whose employers are not paying them. The state pays the $40 fee for jurors who work for employers with fewer than ten employees if n Y - J U R O R / W W W. n Y J U R O R. G O V 13

20 WHO PAYS THE JURY FEE? Juror: Are You Employed? Employer: How many employees do you have? YES Receiving wages or salary or self-employed NO NOT EMPLOYED COLLECTING: SSI, UI, Wkrs Comp 100% Commission Casual postal worker Receiving a draw STATE PAYS JURY FEE STATE PAYS JURY FEE MORE THAN 10 EMPLOYEES WHAT DAY OF SERVICE? 10 or FEWER EMPLOYEES STATE PAYS JURY FEE* * To jurors who are not paid by their employers ARE YOU NORMALLY SCHEDULED TO WORK (any shift) on the same day as jury service? YES NO STATE PAYS JURY FEE DAY 1, 2 OR 3: For the first 3 days of jury service, employers of more than 10 must pay the jury fee or the wage. DAY 4 OR MORE: Beginning on the 4 th day of jury service, the State pays the jury fee to employees who are not paid by their employers. STATE PAYS JURY FEE WILL YOU MISS ANY WORK in order to serve? YES NO STATE PAYS JURY FEE Is wage paid for time missed from work HIGHER or LOWER than the jury fee? YES WILL YOU BE PAID wages for time missed from work? NO / NOT SURE? ARE THE WAGES YOU WILL BE PAID HIGHER or LOWER than the jury fee? USE CHART ON PAGE 15 TO FIND OUT WHO PAYS THE JURY FEE. HIGHER: If the employee s wage for time missed from work is higher than the jury fee, the employer must pay at least the jury fee. LOWER: If the employee s wage for time missed from work is lower than the jury fee, the State pays the difference between the wage and the jury fee. STATE PAYS THE DIFFERENCE EMPLOYER PAYS JURY FEE HIGHER: If your wage for time missed from work is higher than the jury fee, then the State does not pay. LOWER: If your wage for time missed from work is lower than the jury fee, then the State pays the difference between the wage and the jury fee. STATE PAYS THE DIFFERENCE STATE DOES NOT PAY FEE 14 GRAND JUROR S HANDBOOK NY-JUROR /

21 the employer is not paying them. The state also pays the jury fee to jurors who are not employed, or who are serving while on vacation or on a regularly scheduled day off. For more information about juror payment, see the chart that appears on the previous page or go to Who pays your jury fee? at the court system s website: Grand jurors serve until they are discharged by the judge. The judge may extend the grand jury term if the District Attorney or assistant district attorney and the grand jury say that it cannot complete its work before the end of its term of service. However, it is rare that a grand jury's term is extended. COnClUSIOn The decision whether or not to charge someone with a crime is an important one. The grand jury must give individual consideration to each person under investigation and to each charge being considered. The grand jury's decisions must be based on the evidence and on the law and not on speculation, bias, hostility or prejudice. The judge, the witnesses, the attorneys and, most important, the accused person all rely upon each individual grand juror to perform the duties of a grand juror with honesty, integrity and fairness. 16 G R A n D J U R O R S H A n D B O O K

22 ARTIClE 190 THE GRAnD JURY AnD ITS proceedings Grand jury; definition and general functions Grand jury; for what courts drawn Grand jury; duration of term and discharge Grand jury; formation, organization and other matters preliminary to assumption of duties Grand jury; proceedings and operation in general Grand jury; rules of evidence Videotaped examination; definitions, application, order and procedure Grand jury; definitions of terms Grand jury; waiver of immunity Grand jury; who may call witnesses; defendant as witness Grand jury; attorney for witness Grand jury; matters to be heard and examined; duties and authority of district attorney Grand jury; action to be taken Grand jury; when indictment is authorized Grand jury; direction to file prosecutor`s information and related matters Grand jury; direction to file request for removal to family court Grand jury; dismissal of charge Grand jury; release of defendant upon failure of timely grand jury action Grand jury; grand jury reports Grand jury; appeal from order concerning grand jury reports

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